Notre Dame TE Eifert returning to school

SOUTH BEND, Ind— Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert said Friday he is coming back for his senior year instead of heading to the NFL.

Eifert had 63 catches for 803 yards — Notre Dame single-season records for a tight end — and five TD catches last season when the Irish went 8-5 and lost the Champs Sports Bowl to Florida State.

Eifert says his decision was a difficult and it came down to wanting to be with his Irish teammates and earn a degree. He has 90 receptions for 1,155 yards, and needs 39 catches and 605 receiving yards to break Ken MacAfee’s school records by a tight end.

Star Irish linebacker Manti Te’o has already said he is coming back for his final season.